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Young people in Kurdistan preparing
Christmas
10.12.2007
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In a
meeting with more than 300 young people from his
diocese, the Chaldean bishop of Ahmadiya, Monsignor
Al-Qas, reflects upon the central role played by
Mary in Man’s redemption: “Without Mary it is not
possible to know Jesus, the Saviour.” He expresses
concern over proselytising by evangelical Churches
in Iraq.
December
10, 2007
Ahmadiya, Kurdistan region 'Iraq', --
“Without Mary it is not possible to know Jesus and
thus find redemption,” was the theme upon which Mgr
Rabban Al-Qas, Chaldean bishop of Ahmadiya (Iraqi
Kurdistan) wanted to reflect at a meeting held last
Friday with 300 young people from his diocese. The
prelate,www.ekurd.net
who spoke to AsiaNews, said the day was one
of “of celebration and great joy” to remember “our
mother Mary” on the eve of the feast day of the
Immaculate Conception. The young people, all
students aged 15 to 24, came from nearby villages,
and the bishop was assisted by three priests.
In his intervention Monsignor Al-Qas focused on Our
Lady’s example “in welcoming the news from the
Archangel Gabriel who announced that she would be
the mother of the Lord.”
“As Christmas approaches we should not forget the
central figure that is Mary; without her it is
impossible for Man to find salvation.”
The bishop sent a clear message to the meeting’s
young participants. He said: “through Mary we can
break the vicious cycle in which we are confined by
a materialistic society focused on earthly
pleasures.www.ekurd.net
As Christians we must remember that we
have an ‘after’ to think about. That ‘after’ is the
resurrection, the hope Jesus has given us. And Mary
plays an essential role in Man’s redemption.”
At the end of the meeting the bishop celebrated mass
in Aramaic, followed by singing and a group of young
people who put
on a play.
Monsignor Al-Qas told AsiaNews that the universal
Church, especially that of Iraq, must pay attention
to young people.
“We cannot abandon them to their own devices,” he
pleaded. “We must do something for the new
generations.”
In the Iraqi context, this means that in addition to
the tragedy of war great attention must be paid to
the growing proselytising by evangelical groups,
including among Catholics. Among them young people
are the most vulnerable and the most susceptible to
fall for promises of jobs and money.”
asianews it
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